Gardening Articles: Edibles :: Fruit & Nut Trees

Give Jujube a Try (page 2 of 2)

by Edward T. Hager

How to Grow

Plant jujube in a location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. Once established, the roots are very tolerant of salinity, drought, or standing water. During periods of extended drought, the tree will likely survive but without a crop. Also, irrigations after a brief drought may cause fruits to split.

Plant bare-root trees in January or February or whenever plants are available. Amending soil is not necessary. Spread roots over a cone of soil in the center of the planting hole, and adjust the final height until it is equal to or slightly above the original soil grade. Trees often bear some fruit the first year. Bare-root trees cost from $20 to $40.

Trees require very little pruning or training. The best time to prune for repair or shaping is late winter or early spring before the tree breaks dormancy. Fruits are borne on long-lived spurs, much like apples. Root suckers can be a nuisance, but most gardeners consider them a minor one.
The jujube is virtually disease-free, and most insects ignore it. In desert regions, you'll probably have to compete with birds for the fruit, and Texas root rot sometimes occurs.

Kinds of Jujube

All jujubes are self-fruitful, meaning you only need one to get fruit, and all contain a pointed seed.

'Li' is the one to plant if you have room for only one tree. Fruits are abundant, round, 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter, and sweet. It matures early, a great benefit in short-growing-season areas.

'Lang', compared with 'Li', is taller, and the fruit is a bit more elongated or pear-shaped, about 3/4 inch in diameter and 2 inches long, and has thicker skin. The fruit is a bit less sweet than that of 'Li' and best eaten dried. Branches are nearly thornless.

Other Varieties

'Sherwood' fruits are smaller than 'Li' and ripen later. They keep well in the refrigerator up to 6 weeks. Discovered in the southern Louisiana woods, the tree has an attractive, narrow, weeping shape.

'Silverhill' (also called 'Tiger Tooth') produces elongated fruits that are excellent for drying.

Where to Buy Trees

Trees are available in nurseries in the West and Southwest, both as bare-root in winter or in containers during the summer. You can also order jujube trees from several mail-order nurseries.

Jujube Candy

To make glazed jujubes, halve and seed the ripe (but not dry) fruit and place in equal parts water and brown sugar (just enough to cover the fruit). Bring to a moderate boil and simmer for 20 minutes, let cool, then boil for another 20 minutes. Drain the fruit, and add rum and/or vanilla to taste. Then place the halves, cut side down, on a cookie sheet in either a food dehydrator or oven at 180oF for about 24 hours. Dry to taste, and store them in the refrigerator in airtight bags.

Edward T. Hager, M.D., is a former director of the California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc., an organization that educates gardeners about rare or exotic fruits.